Description

A radar chart (also known as spider charts, polar charts, web charts, or star plots) is a type of visualization that displays multivariate data by giving an axis for each variable. The axes have the same scales, and are arranged radially around a central point with equal distances between each other. Each variable in the data set is plotted on its own axis and connected together with lines becoming a polygon.

When to Use

Radar chart is usually used for visualizing comparisons of quality or performance data. The value can be easily compared by looking at the size and shape of the polygon. It should be used only when fine difference is not important as it is hard to read with circular layout. It can be used as an alternative to parallel coordinates chart.

Dos

• Keep it simple
• Use consistent color for the polygon
• Use solid outline and transparent fill for the polygon

Don'ts

• Don’t plot more than three series of data sets on one radar chart (use multiple radar charts instead)

Tools available

Other chart types of comparison